It’s always a good time to take stock of the condition of your house exterior and its surroundings. Upon doing so, you may notice that your home needs a little TLC. There are some basic renovations you can make to improve curb appeal.

1. Give Your Front Door a Fresh Coat of Paint

An easy DIY project that can jazz up the exterior of your home is to clean up your front door by scraping off loose paint, priming, and applying a fresh finish coat of paint. Consider picking out a cheerful color that catches the eye. Many people enjoy a vibrant shade of red or yellow. You can go to your local paint store and ask for color samples and recommendations. While you are at it, go ahead and paint the trim a neutral color to make the door pop.

2. Add Some Lighting

Adding or upgrading exterior light fixtures will not only highlight the house but will also improve the security of the property. Skip the floodlights and opt for energy-efficient LED fixtures and bulbs. Place these on-timers so they are on before you arrive home after work. Consider installing some landscape lighting to subtly highlight pathways and gardens. These can be powered by photocells or can be on motion sensors to deter pests.

3. Repair or Replace the Garage Door

Garage doors can take a beating. Vinyl and metal doors can easily get dented by a stray baseball, a bump from a bike tire, or an unfortunate rendezvous with a car bumper. Garage door repair or replacement can add tons of curb appeal to your home. After all, it is a fairly large element that often faces the street. If you end up needing a replacement, consider choosing a color that will complement your home’s color scheme. Some individuals have opted for black to match black trim. Imagine various options and pick one that will make your home shine.

4. Repair Your Driveway

Once the garage door is cleaned up and looking great, it makes sense to repair the path that leads to that nice door. The driveway generally occupies a sizeable portion of your front yard. When the surface is cracked and uneven it is unattractive and not kind to tires or ankles and can cause damage or minor injuries. You can patch cracks and holes in asphalt or concrete surfaces. You can easily have your asphalt drive receive a fresh topcoat of sealer to clean up the appearance. For a gravel driveway, fill in areas where dirt is showing through and get rid of weeds with simple homemade vinegar, salt, and dish soap solution.

5. Clean Up Your Landscaping

Pruning bushes, weeding gardens, and placing mulch around plantings are excellent ways to spruce up the exterior of your home. While you are at it, plant some seasonal flowers for some inviting color. Add hanging baskets of flowers to the front porch. Potted plants lining a walkway can be show stoppers. And, maybe place a wreath of branches and dried flowers on your front door.

There are some fairly basic improvements you can make to your home to increase curb appeal. You don’t have to replace the siding or raise the roof for a second-story addition. The truth is, you can do a few upgrades and renovations like the ones mentioned here that won’t break the bank and still increase the value of your home by making it more appealing.